Scoil Náisiúnta Naomh Mhuire
Ballygunner, Waterford
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 641 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 277 girls, 364 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 17351A the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
St. Mary’s National School is a Roman Catholic primary school for boys and girls situated in Ballygunner, operating under the patronage of the Bishop of Waterford and Lismore. The school’s ethos is rooted in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, offering a distinctive vision of life and a philosophy of education that seeks to nurture each child’s unique potential. A welcoming and inclusive community is fostered, where respect for all religions, traditions and beliefs is paramount, and partnership with parents and the parish is actively encouraged. The curriculum is designed to develop academic excellence alongside moral and spiritual growth, providing regular opportunities for worship through prayer, liturgy and the sacraments. Emphasis is placed on creating a supportive learning environment that encourages pupils to use their gifts for the common good and to contribute to a more just and caring society. The school’s facilities support a broad range of educational activities, enabling children to explore, discover and thrive in a safe, nurturing setting.
Applying to Scoil Náisiúnta Naomh Mhuire
For a September 2027 place, a school's formal admissions process cannot begin before 1 October 2026. The school sets its own opening and closing dates in its annual admission notice.
National term dates 2026/27
Irish schools follow a standardised school year, so these nationwide primary school dates apply broadly to Scoil Náisiúnta Naomh Mhuire. Individual schools set their own discretionary closure days, confirm exact dates with the school.
- October Mid-Term Break: Mon 26 Oct – Fri 30 Oct 2026
- Christmas Holidays: Wed 23 Dec 2026 – Tue 5 Jan 2027
- February Mid-Term Break: Thu 18 Feb – Fri 19 Feb 2027 (post-primary schools: Mon 15 Feb – Fri 19 Feb 2027)
- Easter Holidays: Mon 22 Mar – Sun 4 Apr 2027
Primary schools close for the last two days of the February mid-term week and may use discretionary days to take the full week, so their break can be shorter than post-primary schools'.
Frequently asked questions about Scoil Náisiúnta Naomh Mhuire
How many pupils attend Scoil Náisiúnta Naomh Mhuire?
Scoil Náisiúnta Naomh Mhuire has 641 pupils enrolled, 277 girls and 364 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Scoil Náisiúnta Naomh Mhuire a DEIS school?
No. Scoil Náisiúnta Naomh Mhuire is not part of DEIS, the Department of Education programme of additional supports for schools serving communities at risk of educational disadvantage. Not holding DEIS status says nothing about how good a school is, only about the profile of the community it serves.
What is the ethos of Scoil Náisiúnta Naomh Mhuire?
Scoil Náisiúnta Naomh Mhuire has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.